If you havent noticed yet the MNR regs for this year are actually for 2 years. The reason for that is the MNR is in the midst of a massive redesign of the fishing regs. The was posted on the EBR. Read on
EBR Registry Number: RB05E6005 Type of Posting: Regulation
Ministry: Natural Resources Status of Posting: Proposal
Date Proposal Loaded: 2005/02/18
Comment Period: 45 day(s)
Written submissions may be made between February 18, 2005 and April 04, 2005.
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NOTICE OF PROPOSAL FOR REGULATION
© Queen's Printer for Ontario, 2005
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Proposal Title:
Proposed Fisheries Management Zones for Ontario
Short Description:
Sport Fishing Divisions are currently the geographic basis for setting fishing regulations such as catch limits and seasons. When Fishing Divisions were first established they were intended to be areas where fishing regulations could be applied over a large area. It was recognized that the lakes, fish species and fishing pressure were similar and thus would be expected to respond to management in the same way.
During the past few decades, several Fishing Divisions were created to set regulations to control exploitation for a variety of species. Many divisions were formed using road networks, township or county boundaries, or simply lines of latitude and longitude. Since then, there has been a proliferation of individual lake fishing exception regulations across Ontario because division-wide regulations were not adequate to control exploitation on all lakes. A number of individual lake Fishing Divisions on some larger lakes were also created to address conservation issues on these lakes.
A complete review of Fishing Division boundaries is underway, with the purpose of reducing the number of Divisions, rationalizing boundaries and making the boundaries easier to define on the ground.
The review will also rationalize the boundaries by basing them on ecological and social factors such as the province’s climate zones, watersheds, fishing pressure, and road networks. It will also allow the production of accurate detailed map products to better define the boundaries for both anglers and Conservation Officers.
Purpose of the Proposal:
Ontario is developing a new framework for fisheries management focusing on new Fisheries Management Zones, managing and monitoring at the broad landscape level as opposed to individual lake management, and enhanced stewardship. This will also rationalize fishing regulations to make them more standardized across the province and easier to understand.
Other Relevant Information:
The total number of Fisheries Management Zones (formerly Fishing Divisions) has been reduced to 20 from 37. The numbering sequence has been standardized and the new zones are a combination of some old division boundaries and new boundaries. The Fisheries Management Zones will become the unit of management for the majority of lakes so that fish populations are monitored, assessed and regulated at the zone level. The new zone boundaries reflect ecological, social and economic considerations and fisheries within a zone will generally be managed in a similar fashion.
The new Fisheries Management Zones are scheduled to be in place for the 2007 fishing summary.
The Fishing Regulations Summary, a map of the proposed Fisheries Management Zones, and an information pamphlet are available for viewing at the web-links shown below.
Other Public Consultation:
Key outdoor groups such as the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters, Northern Ontario Tourist Outfitters, and the Bait Association of Ontario will be invited to comment on the project.
Regulatory Impact Statement:
The anticipated environmental consequences of the regulation are expected to be positive. The new fisheries management zones will better enable monitoring and state of the resource reporting to ensure sustainable fish populations.
The anticipated social consequences of the proposal are expected to be positive.
For the majority of anglers there will be little change to their fishing activities. The regulations will be simpler and it will be easier to identify where the boundaries are for the Fisheries Management Zones. Map products will be available that will allow MNR staff and anglers to readily see where the boundary is.
In some areas, the change in boundaries and the implementation of fish species “tool kits” to standardize regulations, may result in changes or reductions in fishing seasons and size limits. Further public consultation will occur wherever significant changes are proposed.
The anticipated economic consequences of the proposal are also expected to be neutral since there will be very little impact on businesses associated with fishing due to the creation of the new Fisheries Management Zones. In some areas there may be additional fishing opportunities that could result in positive economic benefits.
This proposal would be implemented by amending the Ontario Fishery Regulations. A regulation is the most appropriate means to achieve the proposal's objectives. Regulations provide more openness, consistency and certainty than other control mechanisms; they provide the force of law and are enforceable. The use of a regulation, rather than legislation, will allow for efficient changes in the future, should adjustments be required to further meet the needs of resources and client groups.
Comments should be directed to the following Contact Person:
Chris Brousseau, Senior Fisheries Biologist
MNR Fish and Wildlife Branch
5th Floor, North Tower, 300 Water Street
Peterborough, Ontario, K9J 8M5
PHONE: (705) 755-1231 FAX: (705) 755-1957
Additional material in support of this notice is available by clicking the following hyperlink(s):
http://www.mnr.gov.on.ca/MNR/pubs/pubmenu.html
http://www.mnr.gov.on.ca/mnr/ebr/fmz/map.ppt
http://www.mnr.gov.on.ca/mnr/ebr/fmz/Fr ... -feb16.pdf
All comments will be considered as part of the decision-making by the Ministry if they:
are submitted in writing;
reference the EBR Registry number; and
are received by the Contact person within the specified comment period.
Please Note: No acknowledgment or individual response will be provided to those who comment. All comments and submissions received will become part of the public record.
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